The new Jeep Renegade gets some new engines

The Renegade was the first product of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the first Jeep model to enter the growing subcompact SUV segment. It’s hard to believe this little Italian-American cute ute has been around for four years in global markets. With the arrival of newer competitors, Jeep has finally given its smallest SUV some significant updates for 2019.

Continue reading below ↓

Fresh from its Turin Auto Show debut, the 2019 Renegade sports some cosmetic and mechanical updates. At first glance, you won’t notice the subtle changes; you’ll have to play a bit of spot-the-difference. Up front, it receives a slightly reshaped seven-slot grille and new headlights with full LED daytime running lights, high beam and low beam. The fog lights are now LED as well.

The Limited trim level gets a sportier-looking front bumper with reshaped openings, new turn signals, and a larger body-colored surface area. At the back, the Limited and Trailhawk variants get new LED versions of the trademark X-pattern military jerrycan-inspired square taillights. New wheel designs and finishes with sizes ranging from 16 to 19 inches complete the new look.

Its interior is mostly carried over, but it gets a new center console, which now features an integrated smartphone holder, new cup holders, and more storage compartments. It also has a pocket to hold gadgets and small accessories. The extra USB port, which is standard on Longitude variants and up, has been moved to the back of the center armrest, making it more accessible to rear passengers.

Continue reading below ↓

IMAGE Jeep

On the tech end, it gets an upgraded fourth-generation Uconnect infotainment system with 5- to 8.4-inch touchscreen. Like many new systems, it’s Apple CarPlay- and Android Auto-ready.

The big news is what’s under its hood. The new gasoline engine lineup consists of a 1.0-liter turbocharged inline-three motor with 120hp and 190Nm, and a 1.3-liter turbocharged inline-four mill with 150 or 180hp, and 270Nm. The new diesel range, on the other hand, is composed of a 1.6-liter turbodiesel lump with 120hp, and a 2.0-liter turbodiesel unit with 140hp or 170hp. Three transmissions are available: a six-speed manual, a dual dry clutch transmission, and a nine-speed automatic.

Continue reading below ↓

Like before, the Renegade can be had with front-wheel drive, Active Drive 4x4, and the Trailhawk-exclusive Active Drive Low 4x4 System with low-range. It will hit European showrooms this September. Exports to other markets will start at the end of 2018.